Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published Tuesday, March 10, 2026 9:30 p.m. / Updated Tuesday, March 10, 2026 9:31 p.m.
The presence of Nasser Al-Khelaifi at the match between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, is being questioned. The president of the Parisian club is still in Doha, having been prevented from traveling to Paris due to military tensions in the Middle East.
The tense situation has led to the temporary closure of airspace, with only a few security corridors currently allowing a limited number of flights, complicating the PSG president's plans to arrive in France ahead of the match.
Al-Khelaifi did not make it to PSG training
According to L'equipe, the Qatari official was unable to participate in the team's training held at the French base in Poissy on Tuesday. The situation in Qatar is tense after the capital Doha was targeted by missile and drone attacks launched by Iran in retaliation for military actions by the United States and Israel.
PSG comes after the defeat in the domestic championship, score 1-3 with Monaco, a result that allowed the pursuer Lens to reduce the distance to just one point. They also managed to beat the “red and whites” in the Champions League to qualify for the round of 16. Then, PSG managed to win 3-2 on the field of Monaco, and in the return the score was equal, 2-2.
PSG – Chelsea, duel in the round of 16 of the Champions League
The official is trying these days to find a solution to get to France before the game, but his attention is also focused on the sensitive situation in his native country. Al-Khelaifi also previously held the position of minister of state in Qatar and sits on the state's sovereign wealth fund.
Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea will meet on Wednesday, from 22:00 (Romanian time), at the Parc des Princes stadium, in the first leg of the eighth UEFA Champions League.
